Japanese machinery manufacturer Komatsu made a splash at its first CES Las Vegas appearance, debuting a concept model for a remote-controlled amphibious bulldozer capable of working up to 160 feet underwater. While the idea might seem futuristic, Komatsu is revitalizing a machine that was first developed almost 50 years ago.
In 1971, Komatsu manufactured and sold 36 amphibious bulldozers. The D155W machines seem like something out of a science-fiction comic book—radio-controlled machines capable of operating up to 23 feet underwater, thanks to a watertight engine housing and high stack that pulls in air and expels engine exhaust. Five of Komatsu’s original amphibious bulldozers remain in operation today, and their role in post-disaster repair applications has inspired Komatuso to revisit its deep-sea-dozer design.
Collaborating with Asunaro Aoki Construction, Komatsu debuted its concept design for an amphibious bulldozer at CES Las Vegas. The concept model boasted significant upgrades, like a maximum dig depth of 160 feet—over seven times its predecessor’s. The bulldozer is equipped with 450 kWh and a four-hour run time.
Operators can stay dry by remaining on land and controlling the machine remotely, thanks to antennas that receive the remote-control signal and data-mapping visualization technology that allows operators to see the ocean floor or sea bed.
Underwater bulldozers are incredibly useful in ecological restoration, climate disaster prevention, and relief. Komatsu’s original design has been used in over 1,200 underwater construction projects.
Features:
- Max dig depth of 160 ft
- 450 kWh battery capacity
- 4-hour battery charge
- Data-mapping visualization technology
The Komatsu amphibious dozer is being tested and refined and is expected to be released at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
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